The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is in the midst of its annual winter rainbow trout release initiative, bringing the popular Rocky Mountain fish to the Lone Star State, including in Highland Lakes.
Before you drop a line:
- Make sure you have a valid Texas fishing license, which can be purchased online or at sporting goods stores. The licenses are not required if you are under the age of 17 or fishing in a Texas State Park.
- And know that the daily bag limit on rainbow trout is five per person and there is no minimum length limit.
WHERE AND WHEN TO FISH
Castell on the Llano River—The TPWD released 2,400 trout in the Llano River near the Castell General Store, 19522 RR 152 West, on Dec. 3, 2024. This rural and rugged stretch of the river is popular with fly fisherman who don’t want to travel all the way to the Rockies for a rainbow.
Grenwelge Park on the Llano River—The city park is in the heart of Llano at 199 E. Haynie St., just a short walk from the historic downtown and downstream from Roy Inks Bridge. The TPWD will release 2,000 trout just below the Llano Dam on Feb. 2, 2025.
Hamilton Creek Park on Hamilton Creek—The city park is just outside of Burnet’s center on West Jackson Street. It’s expecting 1,000 trout on Jan. 22, 2025.
Blanco State Park on the Pedernales River—Blanco State Park, 101 Park Road 23 near Blanco, is getting a motherload of rainbows this season with four different stocking dates for a total of 2,850 trout. Trout delivery dates for 2024-25 are Nov. 26, Dec. 12, Jan. 3, and Jan. 22. Entrance to the state park is $5 for ages 13 and older and free for children 12 and younger. (Remember: A Texas fishing license is not needed to fish from the banks in a state park.)
